MINIĆ: IF PROJECT IS COMPLETE, FUNDS WILL BE PROVIDED AT VERY FIRST SESSION OF SRPSKA GOVERNMENT

BIJELJINA, AUGUST 25 /SRNA/ - Republika Srpska Prime Minister Savo Minić said today in Glavičice near Bijeljina that if a certified company confirms that there is a project to address water supply problems in some settlements in Semberija, the Republika Srpska Government will approve BAM 6.5 million at its first session.

Minić expressed satisfaction that he had finally met with Bijeljina Mayor Ljubiša Petrović, as well as that local residents attended the meeting.

"The Republika Srpska Government intends to resolve problems," Minić stressed, adding that Petrović had presented him with documentation for the project at the meeting, "while, on the other hand, it is being claimed that this is not actually a project."

Minić told reporters that the Republika Srpska Government wants to resolve this problem and is ready to approve the funds if a certified company confirms that it is a project.

"If it is not complete and it turns out that anything else needs to be done, we must act quickly. I want to implement all the measures and decisions necessary to address this issue during my term in office. This has been going on for a long time. I see no other option than for experts to become seriously involved here. If the project is complete, the funds will be approved," Minić stressed.

He stressed that he had come to Glavičice in good faith and wanted to have a normal conversation, adding that he had never had a problem meeting with local residents, fellow fighters, hunters and friends.

“I just want to work. And I want us to resolve this. It will be my responsibility to ensure that every local community president and the City Administration receive certified documentation specifying what can be done, when it can be done and how it can be done, so that the Government can adopt a decision at its first session,” Minić said.

Minić reminded that the same had been done for the hospital when he was told that an emergency department and additional beds were needed, as well as a new CT scanner, and the matter was resolved immediately.

“And they were honestly surprised that the Government approved the funds immediately. Why wouldn’t we approve them for our Bijeljina as well? Let’s not even argue about that,” Minić said.

He stressed that, regardless of the fact that the meeting may not have gone in quite the spirit he had expected, it was important that talks had begun.

"And they should have started much earlier. I don’t want to blame the mayor now, and I don’t want him to blame me. Let’s share the blame fairly, like gentlemen, and say: some of it was his responsibility, some of it was mine. Now we will sit down and work together for the benefit of the citizens of Bijeljina and Semberija," Minić said.

Petrović, on the other hand, described the meeting as a "very unproductive meeting," adding that he would sit down with anyone if it was in the interest of the people.

The meeting, held in the gymnasium of the "Ćirilo i Metodije" Elementary School in Glavičice, was also attended by Republika Srpska Minister of Labor, War Veterans' and Disabled Persons' Protection Radan Ostojić, as well as Republika Srpska Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management Anđelka Kuzmić.

Representatives of the City Administration and Bijeljina’s "Vodovod" water utility, as well as local residents, also attended the meeting.